LIAM LYNCH/ARMAGH MARTYRS AND THE VOLUNTEER EDDIE DYNES

EASTER 92 st ANNIVERSARY 1916 - 2008

EASTER COMMEMORATION 2008

LIAM LYNCH/ARMAGH MARTYRS

REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN CUMANN

VOLUNTEER EDDIE DYNES

REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN CUMANN

ARMAGH CITY/KEADY SOUTH ARMAGH

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EASTER COMMEMORATION

EASTER SUNDAY SANDYHILL CEMETERY

ARMAGH CITY

ASSEMBLY 2.30PM AT GATES OF CEMETERY

COMMEMORATION STARTS AT 3PM

PROMINENT SPEAKER IN ATTENDANCE

EVERYONE WELCOME !

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EASTER COMMEMORATION

EASTER SUNDAY ST.PATRICK'S CEMETERY

KEADY SOUTH ARMAGH

AT THE GRAVE OF VOL EDDIE DYNES

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY 1PM

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HONOUR IRELAND'S HEROES

WEAR AN EASTER LILY !

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EASTER COMMEMORATION ARMAGH CITY 2007

The Easter Commemoration in Armagh City once again saw a committed crowd of both old and new supporters, who had come out to remember those who had given their lives for freedom in 1916.

The large crowd gathered in Sandyhill Cemetery and at 3pm the parade was led by a 9 strong colour party, which commenced to the Republican plot whilst being observed by the R.U.C/P.S.N.I.

The chair of the proceedings, Aidan Quinn from Tyrone reminded those present of the continual harrassment afforded to true Republicans and their families by the R.U.C/P.S.N.I, following his remarks the proclomation was read by Niall Ward from Armagh. Another local man John Kelly then read the Roll of Honour for the North and South districts of Armagh.

Three wreaths were layed at the Republican plot, the Frist on behalf of The Liam Lynch/ Armagh Martyrs Republican Sinn Fein Cumman Armagh/ Keady by James Carroll, followed by a wreath on behalf of the Republican Prisoners in Maghaberry Jail by Joe Tierney. And lastly a wreath on behalf of the Continuity Irish Republican Army Armagh/ Keady Units.

A decade of the rosary was orated in Irish by 10year old Connor Hughes from Keady. Following the rosary a masked and uniformed C.I.R.A man entered the cemetry under the noses of the R.U.C/ P.S.N.I to a rapturous applause from the welcoming crowd. He read a rousing and inspirational speech on behalf of the C.I.R.A Armagh Brigade before departing the cemetery to cheers and shouts of solidarity. Full speech available on website.

A local man read the Easter statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement to an inspirered crowed. Oliver White from Newry read the Republican Prisoners Easter statement. Speeches available on website. A minutes silence was then observed in respect ot Irelands fallen dead.

The main oration was then delivered by Sean Mc Goldrick from Dublin. Full text on website. The commemoration then came to a close by the Chair of the proceedings. The colour party descended to the bottom of the graveyard befor falling out. The Liam Lynch/ Armagh Martyrs Republican Sinn Fein Cumann would like to thank all those who supported the commemoration .

EASTER STATMENT ARMAGH BRIGADE C.I.R.A

The Armagh Brigade of the Irish Republican Armagh sends Revolutionary and Seasonal greetings to its Comrades and supporters in Armagh, Ireland the U.S and Europe. This year the Armagh Brigade has upped the ante in its War on the British Forces of occupation, we have sought at every turn to bring the fight to the Crown Forces. Our Volunteers have engaged the enemy on numerous occasions, in Armagh City, Keady and Lurgan areas, we salute the brave Active Services Units who risk their lives and freedom to continue the cause of Irish Freedom. We condemn those in the media who have tired to hide and deny these attacks took place, these people are on the payroll of the British and their actions are designed to enhance the image of British rule in Ireland. To the world we tell the British Army and its local milita the R.U.C/ P.S.N.I that we will continue to engage them on our terms. In the past they have been lucky but we only need to be lucky once once they need to be lucky all the time !.

We send solidarity greetings to our Comrades in Portloise Jail and to the Republican prisoners on protest in Maghaberry P.O.W camp, we commend them for their principled stance and condem our former comrades in the Provisional Movement who sold political status away when they signed the Stormont agreement. A status won in blood by Bobby Sands and his Comrades in 1981. We also commend and thank the Republican Prisoners Action Group for its workthis year in supporting and hightlighting the prison protest, there white line protest have brought the prison protert out of the media black out and onto the national stage, they are are the voice of our protesting prisoners !.

This year has seen not only the return of British rule through Storment, by the Provo acceptance of the R.U.C/P.S.N.I British milita as a acceptable Police force. This forces aim is to enforce British rule in Ireland and we call on all Irish men and women to refuse to accept it as anything less than the enemy and warn all prospective recruits that they will be seen as legitimate targets and will be delt with as such !.

We commend and praise the men and women of Republican Sinn Fein who on short notice stood up to the Provo/ British machine and held throught to the Republican Principles when they stood against them in the March elections. Despite a complete media black out on R.S.F , those candidates and their has shown has shown us there is a small nucleus in the Republican heartlandson which to build. We call on all those disgruntled Republicans to return to the fold and help us rebuild and strengthen the Republican movement, it is throught unity that we will gain continuity.

The Armagh Brigade Oglaght na hEireann , Irish Republican Army pledges its allegiance to the Continuity Army Council and the 2nd all Ireland Dail whose powers it protects, we swear to uphold the Republic by Continuing the war against its enemies. We call on the youth of Armagh to join us and help us continue the fight for Irish Freeom, may our guns never be silent while the Brits occupy our land.!!

Beir Bua

Forward To Freedom !

Officer Commanding Armagh Brigade

EASTER 2007

Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement
ON this the 91st anniversary of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic,
the Leadership of the Republican Movement sends greetings to members,
supporters and friends throughout the world. We send a special greeting to
our imprisoned comrades in Portlaoise and Maghaberry, Co Antrim and applaud
the continual prison protest in Maghaberry which has been ongoing since last
June. On this note we would like to extend our appreciation to the
Republican Prisoners Action Group who have organised and promoted the outside
activity in support of the protesting prisoners. We would like to thank all
groups and all people who supported these protests.
Over the course of this Easter weekend comrades and supporters of the
Republican Movement will assemble at gravesides, memorials and monuments to
fallen comrades from many generations who have given their lives for the
cause of Irish National Liberation. This year many of us will assemble with
a heavy heart following the further betrayal of the All-Ireland Republic by
former comrades who have taken yet a another step in treachery with their
recognition of the RUC/PSNI, and their further acceptance and administering
of British Rule in the occupied six northern counties. True Republicans will
have watched with horror the antics and political posturing of the
Provisional Leadership over the last twelve months in their attempts to
placate militant Paisleyism and their eagerness to hold a special Ard-Fheis
to rush through a motion to support the armed wing of the British Oppressor.
The true Republican Leadership will never compromise and will never accept
British Rule in any part of our Country.
In recent weeks we have seen yet another election to a British controlled
assembly in the occupied part of our country. We note the involvement of
Republican Sinn Féin who fielded abstentionist candidates and we applaud all
of those candidates, their agents and supporters who fought a superb
political campaign against very difficult odds. We also congratulate all
candidates who contested these elections on an abstentionist basis.
Supporters should remember that the struggle for Irish National Liberation
has never been measured by the number of votes which our movement have been
afforded but by the commitment of the small numbers who have remained
steadfast and loyal to the Irish Republic.
Our history has shown that the men and women of 1916 who proclaimed the Irish
Republic were besmirched and indeed spat upon following the historic
Proclamation. We should remember that political change can often take place
very quickly and dramatically as was seen by the Election results just two
years later in 1918.
Over the past twelve months our members and supporters were subjected to
continued harassment, arrests and false imprisonment on both sides of border.
This is something that we have come to accept, and is a clear indication to
everyone that nothing has changed, regardless of what many might think. True
Republicans have always experienced such treatment but let our message be
clear: we will not be intimidated or derailed from our continued resistance
to British Occupation. We urge our members to be ever vigilant.
There have been further overtures to our Leadership from a number of British
agents in various guises, including the Provisionals, to advance what they
think will put into place the final piece of their sordid jigsaw for British
Rule in Ireland. We say to all such on-comers that the Republican movement
will not yield to any such agents. We are not for sale and we cannot be
bought. This message should be understood by all our members, supporters and
friends. There have also been continual attempts to besmirch the Republican
Movement by associating them with drugs, criminality and to recent murders in
Belfast. The Leadership of the Continuity Irish Republican Army has already
categorically denied involvement in any of this activity and reiterates it
once more in this statement.
Due to the treachery of others our struggle faces greater obstacles than
before, but this leadership is aware that there has always been a significant
body of opinion in Ireland opposed to British Rule. The task of the
Republican movement in the immediate future is to organise, harness and lead
that support in opposition to foreign rule and British Imperialism. For this
purpose we re-dedicate ourselves this Easter day.
An Phoblacht Abú!

— Issued by the Leadership of the Republican Movement, Easter 2007.

EASTER 2007, ADDRESS FROM REPUBLICAN POWs MAGHABERRY GAOL

A Chairde agus a camaradai

It is a great honour that I have the opportunity to address you today on this the 91^{st anniversary of the historic Easter rebellion. We the Republican POWs send revolutionary and Easter greetings to all true and faithful republicans at home and abroad and to those of you who have gathered here today at the graves and monuments of Ireland’s patriot dead.}

You have remained true and faithful to the All-Ireland Republic envisaged by Tone and proclaimed by Pearse on the steps of the GPO in Dublin 1916. Since that very day a vast amount of ground has been covered, a lot of sacrifices have been made and a lot of men, women and children have gone to their graves, all in the name of Irish republicanism. It grieves me to say that in recent years these very graves have been desecrated by the actions of our former comrades in the provisionals, none more sorely that their recent actions of recognizing, accepting and backing the british paramilitary force, the RUC.

They think that by a name change and a uniform change that they can then tell us that this is not the same force, the same force that sent so many of our people to the prisons and to the graveyards, that same force which has and always will work hand in hand with the loyalist death squads. They have told us that by signing up to this anti-republican rag-bag that they can make the so-called police more accountable to all, well we say yhet again the Provos are wrong, a leopard never changes its spots. We will recognize no police force other than that established by the 32 county all-Ireland republic. The recruitment drive is in full swing for the new Broy Harriers, to help bolster stormont home of the british occupiers and the power base of the british/loyalist domination of the 6 north eastern counties of our country. Republicans were right in 1986 and their concerns at that time are now statements of unfolding facts.

Those of us imprisoned at home and abroad have been so, for our idealogical beliefs. Our belief in the Proclamation of 1916 and all that it entails is steadfast and will remain so. Here in Magaberry Gaol we are denied the right to political status and whereas in 1972 and 1976 it was the british who refused it, we now have the british and their ally’s in the Provisionals denying to us something for which 10 brave Irishmen laid down their lives for. The Stormont agreement seeks to criminalise us, this they will NEVER succeed in doing. From Thomas Ashe in 1917 to Bobby Sands in 1981 they have tried and failed. We are political POWs and that we will remain. We want most of all for the british to set a date for disengagement from our country, we will never accept the continuation of the occupation of our country and we remain committed to our objectives, whilst the brits remain in Ireland.

We send solidarity greetings to the leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann and we wish to state that we have full faith in our leadership and comrades in arms to continue the struggle for Irish freedom. To our comrades in Portlaoise we also send solidarity greetings and thanks for your acts of solidarity during our present phase of prison protest.

We pay tribute to all of you who have sent us letters and cards of support, they are a source of strength and great encouragement to us. We say a special thanks to RPAG and CABHAIR for all their great support and aid.

Finally last but by no means least we salute and congratulate all candidates who took a stand in the recent elections on an abstentionist/political status platform. We pay tribute to all who campaigned for the candidates and to those who voted for them. The republican voice must be heard now and in the future.

VICTORY TO CIRA

VICTORY TO THE POWS

AN PHOBLACT ABU

O/C Republican Pows

Maghaberry Gaol

Easter 2007

EASTER ORDINATION

A chairde,

It was on the 24th of April 1916 that the Irish Volunteers declared a Republic and rose against the British to establish the freedom of Ireland. The words of the Proclamation, the heroism of its authors and the consequences of their actions inspired Irish people in the years afterwards to new levels of resistance as predicted by the leaders in 1916. Every year since then, Republicans have gathered at Easter to commemorate the Rising and to remember those who have died for Irish freedom during all the phases of our struggle over more than 200 years.

We are here on the 91st anniversary of the easter rising to commemorate all who hav died in the struggle for Irish freedom before and since then.We stand here once again to honour and support that struggle and the principles that moved people to risk everything for the cause of the all Irelend Republic.

This year, 26 years on from the sacrifices of the hunger strikers in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh the plight of Republican prisoners in Maghaberry jail must continue to be highlighted.The partial victory in won in 2003 in attaining seperation from other prisoners has been shown to be flawed and many issues are still outstanding,for example freedom of association for political prisoners has still not been achieved.

We are fortunate that the men and women of 1916 and 1981 clearly set out their ideals and motivation.Their words show that these were people who were not prepared to compromise on the right of the Irish people to national freedom and independence.

Padraig Pearse himself,speaking at the grave of O'Donovan Rossa on behalf of a new generation of Republicans declared the Volunteers to be the successors to the Fenians and to Tone and Emmet.

"Let no man blaspheme the cause that the dead generations of Ireland served by giving it any other name and definition than their name and their definition".

Pearse said those words in 1915.Obsviously there must have been revisionists then too.People who wanted to be seen to stand in rememberence of Irelands dead but who didnt want to be associated with the thing they died for.

Being an Irish Republican has always meant being engaged in an uphill struggle.Events of the last year are surely unprecedented but only in that they are new.Republicans must refuse to be intimidated,we will not support English rule in the six counties or collaberate with it through the establishment South of the border. RSF took a stand against another attempt at re-establishing the stormont assembly in the recent elections. We have made a start and must now build in the hard work done by our candidates and their workers and supporters.The difficulties are great.

The Provisionals heve now disbanded their military organisation, handed over all their arms and given their support to the RUC/PSNI.This was the price demanded of them by the British and 26 county establishments as well the unionists before they would be allowed to administer British rule in Ireland.Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley are on their way to collaborating in that administration and possibly hav the Stormont regime up and running in time forthe 20th anniversary of the massacre at Loughgall.

Last Sunday a newspaper ran a story about plans for Gerry Adams to participate in an Orange march on the Gravaghy Road as a gesture of reconciliation. The article went into detail about how the planes were for Gerry Adams to be at the head of the parade but that he wasn't sure if the Orangemen were yet ready for it. Only towards the end of the article did i realize that the date was April 1st. The April Fools article got me because it just didn't seem that impossible.

While it might have seemed a little far-fetched we have also seen things happen which we once thought, and indeed hoped, would be impossible. As already mentioned, there has been decommissioning, there has been acceptance of British policing and acceptance of Stormont before that with the Westminster officers and the Minsters of the Crown who were as ready to cut-back whenever needed as good as any pro-capitalist politican before them.

We have had the Provos out on poppy day honouring dead British soliders. And leading Provos taking every photo opportunity possible to shake the hand of whatever enemy of the Irish Freedom was available at the time. The Provisionals have promised us that their strategy will give us a united Ireland by 2016 in time for the 100th Anniversary of the Rising. But what is unity without freedom and independence ? Ninety years ago this was a united country -- a united occupied country. James Connolly warned of the danger that after the British had left we would simply raise a green flag, an English rip- off landlord would be replaced by an Irish rip- off landlord and everything else would continue on as before.

In case i be accused of being merely anti- provisional i should point out that we are also opposed to the recent moves by the GAA, who have allowed Croke Park to be used to accommodate other sports. This resulted recently in the playing of the British national anthem there on the spot where the British army murdered 14 people in 1921. R S F led the protest at Croke Park at the normalization of relations while British retained her grip in Ireland. The actions of the GAA as well as those of the Provisionals are threats to our identity as a seperate and distinct people. This is now offical Free State policy to Ireland and the Six counties as a seperate country.

As we can see revisionism has alltered many peoples view of the Irish National struggle down the years. We should be proud of the struggle from 1916- 23 as we are proud of Irelands dead, thosewho have fought bofore, during and since 1916 up to the present day. We in Republican Sinn Fein standing here in remembrance of Irelands dead and in remembrance of their cause use only their names and their definition: to break the connection with England. We stand by the Proclamation of 1916 which declares the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland... to be sovereign and indefeasible. We continue to promote EIRE NUA strategy for a totally new Ireland with federation of the four provinces including a nine- county Ulster to bring power closer to the people and to help correct the East- West economic imblance and provide a solution to the conflict in the Six Counties.

The road ahead is hard, but the cause is just. Today we remember those who have gone before us. We resolve to continue their work .

An Phoblacht Abu !!!

EASTER COMMEMORATION ARMAGH CITY

The 90th Anniversary of the Easter Uprising commemoration held in Sandy Hill graveyard Armagh City was attended by a large crowd of R.S.F members and supporters both young and old.The commemoration parade was lead by a 9 strong colour party from both Tyrone and Armagh who carried their flags with pride as the crowd walked to the Republican plot for the laying of the wreaths,which were carried by two women in the colour party.The commemoration was chaired by Aidan Quinn from R.S.F Dungannon.The reading of the Proclamation was by P.J Mc Dade of R.S.F Lurgan,followed by the reading ot the Armagh Roll of Honour by Jonny Kelly R.S.F Armagh.A minute silence was then observed in respect for all who fought and died for Ireland.This was followed by the laying of the wreaths,the frist wreath was laid on behalf ot the Continuity I.R.A Armagh City,followed by the Liam Lynch / Armagh Martyrs Cumann of R.S.F.The last wreath was layed on behalf of the Continuity I.R.A prisioners,Roe 3+4 of Maghaberry Gail.This was followed by the rosery which was delivered in Irish by 9 year old Connor Hughes,the son of a R.S.F member and former P.O.W from Keady.Next a statement was read on behalf of the Armagh City Command of the Continuity Irish Republican Army which was well recieved by the crowd.( see the Liam Lynch/ Armagh Martyrs web site for full speech.) This was followed by the dipping of the flags coincideing the sounds of the Last Post.The main oration was then delivered by Fergal Moore an, inspiriational speech remembering the fight and struggle from 1916 to present day.Also highlighing the ongoing inhumane treatment and harrassment of prisoners and their families in Maghaberry Gail,and the struggle for political status. (see web site for full speech.)

The chairperson then finished of the commemoration highlighting the continued harrassment of R.S.F members and families in the Armagh and Keady area and sending out a message that we are UNBROKEN and CONTINUE our fight here in Armagh.The commemoration came to a close with the playing of Amhraim Na bhrain.

The Liam Lynch/ Armagh Martyrs Cumann of Republican Sinn Fein would like to thank everyone who helped make this years commemoration a big success,we ask for everyone to help play their part in the continueing struggle of our goal of a UNITED IRELAND.

AN PHOBLACT ABU !

You can contact us at rsfarmagh@yahoo.com are check out our web site at www.freewebs.com/rsfarmaghkeady.

EASTER STATEMENT ARMAGH CITY COMMAND C.I.R.A

As we stand here in Armagh at this spot to remember the historic 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Uprising. The same struggle which Pearse decliared on the steps of the G.P.O is still continuing today 90 years on by the brave volunteer soldiers of the Continuity Irish Republican Army !. As we have proved here in Armagh over the last year we will and have taken every oppurtunity to stricke back at the British Imperialism here in the occupied 6 counties,and will not bow down to their bully boy tactic's we are unbroken !.

We also remember and send solidarity greetings to our imprisoned comrades in Maghaberry Gail who like the Hunger Strickers of 1981 who strived and gained Political Status , but only after Bobby Sands and nine of his comrades had died. Our prisoners are being denied Policital Status now ,the same status which was won in 81, to be treated as Prisoners Of War and not common criminals as they are classed today. We salute you and your familys in your determination for this.

We also condem the finial act of TREACHERY of the provisionals of their voluntary destruction of arms, the same arms which were bought and paid for by th people of Ireland ,for the defence and reunification of our country. Not so they can copper facen British rule here in the six counties.BUT THE FIGHT GOES ON.!

Ninety years to the day since that momentous event in Irish history we renew these guarentees and pledge to strive might and main for those objectives proclaimed and sealed by the blood of the Leaders and Martyrs of the 1916 Rising. A Democratic Socialist Republic for ALL. No collaboration with imperialism and with British rule here -but straigh through to IRISH FREEDOM AND IRISH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.

AN PHOBLACHT ABU !!

FERGAL MOORE ORATION EASTER ARMAGH CITY

Easter Sunday in Armagh

A chairde,

Today we commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising as across Ireland faithful Republicans do likewise. We Republicans know that the aim of the men and women of 1916 was to establish a 32 county Irish Republic free from British rule. We believe as James Connolly believed that “the British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland and never can have any right in Ireland. The presence in any one generation of even a respectable minority ready to die to affirm that truth makes that government forever usurpation and a crime against human progress”.

There are some in Ireland however attempting to hijack the legacy of 1916 without believing in or holding to its key ideals. The Provisionals and the Free Staters claim 1916 for themselves yet they help preserve British rule in Ireland. But we are lucky in the fact that the men and women of 916 clearly set out their ideals and motivations. The 1916 proclamation shows that these people were not prepared to compromise on the right of the Irish people to national freedom and independence. The Proclamation declares the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies to be sovereign and indefeasible. Those who support the partitionist assemblies of Stormont and Leinster House are obviously at odds with the Proclamation. They instead support the continuation of British rule and occupation and are therefore not Republican. We in Republican Sinn Féin are part of the revolutionary Republican Movement. We seek a revolution in its truest sense in Irish society. We wish to see the overturning and destruction of the 26 county and Stormont administrations and their replacement with a 32 county united Irish Republic free from foreign interference. We seek to create a New Ireland and have devised the Eire Nua programme for a new Ireland with separation of church and state and a pluralist society. A new federation of the four provinces including a nine county Ulster would bring power nearer to the people, help correct east-west economic imbalance and provide a solution to the conflict here in the six counties. And who shall be master in this New Ireland. As Pearse said “Why the People will be the masters, the great, splendid, common, sovereign People”. Pearse believed as we believe that where the proclamation says “the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership to Ireland” that this means much more than just taking down the hated Union Jack and hoisting the Tricolour. It means more than replacing and absentee landlord with a native Irish capitalist one. It means that the wealth of Ireland, her natural resources, her land and her offshore gas fields belong to the people of Ireland. Pearse wrote during the 1913 lockout. “My instinct is with the landless man against the lord of lands and with the breadless man against the master of millions.” We in the Republican Movement believe that the wealth of Ireland belongs to the Irish people and that this wealth should be redistributed to the benefit of the Irish Nation to each according to their needs. In Ross Duach, or Rossport as it is known, today we can see the result of what happens when a corrupt capitalist administration finds that it can fill their own pockets with the wealth of Ireland. The Free Staters sold off the rights to an offshore gas field to the company with the fattest brown envelopes. Now this foreign capitalist enterprise can make money exploiting Irelands natural resources while the Irish people receive no royalties at all and have to pay for the privilege. We commend the Rossport Five who stood up against this greedy multinational who have a history of murdering their opponents and have no regard for the safety of local communities.

It is a sad fact that there are some people who think that they are Republican who believe that all that is need in Ireland is for the Brits to go and then the six counties can somehow be absorbed into the twenty six county state. This is not so. The twenty six county state must be smashed as effectively as the six county one. The six counties may be ruled directly from London but the Dublin administration is only a puppet regime meekly and even eagerly obeying London’s commands. Recent newspaper articles have reported that Shannon airport is the second busiest airport in Europe with regard to these secret rendition flights. This means that the Free Staters have been collaborating with the Brits and George Bush in the torture of political prisoners. We have seen enough Irish men tortured for political reasons we do not wish to help the US do the same to others. This is just one another reason for the overthrow of the twenty six county state.

Anyone who thinks that the twenty six counties plus the six counties equals the Irish Republic is deluding themselves. No, the Irish Republic is that of Pearse and Connolly where the people are the masters. The Irish Republic is a radical new society that when re-established will be a beacon of light and hope and freedom and justice in the world that will inspire others to throw off the yoke of oppression. The Republic will have no truck with current power blocs based on the old east-west divide. Rather we will stand alone, defiant and pure of heart. We shall be friends of the oppressed and enemies of the oppressor.

A few months ago we saw the Provisionals party militia complete their treachery by destroying their arms at the behest of the British. They should now shuffle of the stage and leave it for good, perhaps to some remote cottage in Donegal where they can await the knock at the door. There is serious work to be done and at the moment they are only hampering the struggle for Irish freedom.

There are many in Ireland today who will not be bought off by the Brits. There are many that would see the fight for freedom continue and pursued with even greater vigour. So long as the Brits remain in Ireland then there will be always be those who will take up arms against them. We salute the brave actions of the Continuity IRA and them well and a speedy success to their endeavours. However, as long as the fight goes on there will be Republican prisoners of war. Unfortunately the prisoners in Maghaberry are being denied Political Status in this year that marks the 25^th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike. It is with great sadness and pride that we remember the Hunger Strikers and we pray that that part of our history will not be repeated. Bobby Sdands wrote in The Lark And The Freedom Fighter: “I am a political prisoner, a freedom fighter. Like the lark I too have fought for my freedom not only in captivity where I now languish but also on the outside where my country is held captive. I have been captured and imprisoned, but like the lark, I have seen the outside of the wire cage.”

The campaign for Political Status for our Republican prisoners must continue. We must not allow things to get to a stage where the prisoners find themselves forced into repeating the actions of Bobby Sands and his comrades. It is up to us on the outside to who still have our freedom to campaign for the reintroduction of POW status. We cannot afford to fail the prisoners on this. They are imprisoned because the have the Spirit of Freedom and they fight for the All Ireland Republic of Pearse and Connolly. Bobby Sands wrote the following: “I have the Spirit of Freedom that cannot be quenched by even the most horrendous treatment. Of course I can be murdered, but while I remain alive I remain what I am, a political prisoner of war and no one can change that.”

Victory to the prisoners. Victory to the Continuity IRA

An Phoblacht Abú